Legally Blonde

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An Easier Way To Count Calories

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If you’ve never done it before, counting calories can really be tedious. You probably aren’t used to putting a number to the quantity and type of foods that you eat every day. The truth is, if you don’t start learning how to count your daily calories, you won’t know what progress you’re making and you won’t be able to meet the goals that you are making for yourself.

Two things will undoubtedly happen when you start counting calories. You’ll probably be shocked at how far off the mark you are from what you imagined your eating habits looked like, and you’ll find that writing down everything that you eat is a strong motivation for making better food choices. It is hard to dodge the truth when it’s right in front of you in black and white. Even if you’re not going on a prolonged diet, try counting calories for a few days every year as a way to check your status. It can be a real eye-opener. If you’re struggling to lose weight and can’t figure out why you’re not making any progress, you can gain some invaluable insights by examining your daily caloric intake.

You’ll probably be surprised how many calories are in those little late-night snacks that you can’t resist, or the giant frappuccino that you sneak in on your lunch break. Calorie counting can be difficult, but there are ways to make it easier. Try counting the daily servings that you have of the different essential food groups. The US government has an excellent website called: mypyramid.gov. Here you can customize your own food pyramid with suggested servings of each food group. You’ll probably see suggestions like: 6 oz of whole grains per day, 6 oz of lean meat daily, 2 ½ cups of vegetables per day, etc.

Read More: Can These Eating Tips Help You Achieve Quick Weight Loss?

By tracking your food in simple identifiable units like this, you’ll be able to stay on track without a lot of the tedium that goes into adding up specific numbers of calories all the time. Mypyramid.gov also gives you tips on how best to prepare foods from each food group. Suggestions like sticking to lean meat that is baked, broiled or grilled can be the difference that helps you to eat as smart as possible. There are all kinds of other supporting materials that help you estimate portion sizes, and even break down complicated foods like pizza into the separate food groups.

You’re much more likely to find balance in your daily diet if you stick to a pyramid structure for counting calories. It helps you to see what you’re eating broken down into proportions each day. If you find yourself struggling to stay under your calorie limit for the day, try a meal replacement supplement. This is a great way to treat yourself to a low calorie meal with plenty of protein (the best type of meal replacements use whey protein, low in fat and extremely high in protein), and lots of extra nutrients to give you a nice boost during the day. You’ll be surprised how much this can help you cut down calories without sacrificing nutrition.

Embrace the truth, start counting calories, and pay attention to the results, you’ll be surprised at how much progress you can make when you see clearly where you are and where you want to be.

Can These Eating Tips Help You Achieve Quick Weight Loss?

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Quick weight loss is a matter of an opinion.   What you consider quick, may not be what the diet program considers quick. You can lose weight rapidly, if you follow a diet plan to the letter.  Rapid weight-loss is not really good for the body or healthy for your body.

Losing weight quickly is usually just water the body is retaining. You are overweight, then you have a lot of water that needs to be flushed out of the body. That requires a crash diets — diuretic such as fruits and vegetables, no process foods, and more water (to flush out the retained water). Quick weight loss can also be just water weight. Using quick weight loss foods such as celery, cranberries, and other foods can help you lose the water you’re retaining. That way the metabolism can kick in and start burning the fat for fast weight loss.  Of course, it depends on how overweight you are and what type of lifestyle you have.If you eat out all the time, you’re not doing your body any good.

Fast foods and other foods such as sandwiches are loaded with fats and other chemicals the body isn’t designed to process.  The human body can never have a quick weight loss eating processed foods made and tainted by human hands.They are also loaded with sodium to preserve them from spoilage.  All those chemicals help your body retain water. That’s why it’s important to lose the water first, and then work on losing the extra stored fat.  Processed foods reduce the effective process of the body burning fat to lose weight fast.

Weight Loss Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips you can use to help you lose weight quickly. Study after study shows people who snack or eat more small meals a day, lose more weight – quickly. Plus, you’ll keep it off.

If you don’t want to spend much time on a weight loss program you can use the following tips and tricks to lose weight without trying (but very slow):

  • Eat fruit instead of a candy bar.
  • Eat pistachios for weight loss – just one handful.
  • Eat more times in a day. Six to eight small meals will burn twice as much fat.
  • Cut food into slices to make it look like its more food.
  • Eat slowly.
  • Carry a serving of protein powder (whey) with you instead of eating a high-calorie candy.
  • Give yourself a mini-manicure to keep your mind off of food.
  • Use your scale once a week preferably naked in the morning before eating or using the bathroom (For a true weight estimate).
  • Sprinkle flax seed on everything you eat for breakfast.  It’s loaded with the nutrients you need to keep your hunger down
  • Brush your teeth right after eating. It’s a signal to stop eating and changes what your taste buds think about.
  • Never sit in the same place at mealtime.
  • Hold the mayo and use hummus instead.
  • Use small bowls and plates to make it look like you have more food.
  • Have fruit at work such as walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or other nuts you like. Eat them slowly and never more than a handful.
  • Take a picture of you in the nude before you start the diet. it will keep you motivated throughout the weight loss program.

There are many other ways you can stop eating as much food as you do to weight what you do. The trick is to eat less calories and burn more fat for any quick weight-loss.

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Stack used for quick weight loss.

For rapid weight-loss add an effective diet pill 20 minutes before wholesome meals. This technique with the right pill can help increase the chances of losing more weight than dieting alone. Quick weight loss pills such as Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Garlic pills, and Green Tea are all natural and the most effective when combined with natural foods. Quick weight loss diets rich in protein, beans and spinach are the most effective meals for fast weight-loss.

Knot Me: A New Look At The Knot Hairdo

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The knot hairdo is making a comeback this season with clean lines up front and loose ends in the back. This style is one of the most versatile you’ll see and takes you seamlessly from business to pleasure, or, in reverse, can go from stylishly messy to smooth and sleek. Whatever you’re wearing, here’s how to make the knotwork for you.

Whatever your style in the front and on top, make sure it’s swept neat and clean to the back of your head. Use a spritz or smoothing gel to achieve maximum shine and a soft finish. For knots worn high at the back of your head, pull all your hair front to back and start with a traditional ponytail. As you pull the hair through the last time, stop when hair is half-way through the hair band. Tuck the end of your pony through the loop of hair you created and pull snug for a tight knot or use pins or small clips tucked under the knot to secure the ends for a fuller look.

Smooth the knot with your fingers. You can position the knot to sit to the side or on top of the loose ends. To create a side knot, pull the last loop through the hair band to the side so the loop is facing one ear and the ends are in line with the other ear. Tuck the ends through the loop and allow them to hang outside the knot. For high knots, use texturizing gel and hairspray on the ends to create a stiff, uneven couture effect.

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For low knots placed at the neck, begin with a side part on top and pull hair tightly to the side, or allow bangs and loose side pieces to flow around your face. A low knot can be created by using gel and hairspray to hold hair in place as you tie it in a knot. Use pins or clips (anything that can be tucked under your hair and hidden away) to secure the knot. This free-flowing knot will loosen during wear, so keep ends smooth and sleek for an even look.

For a larger knot, use the ponytail approach described above, but position the hair band in the middle of your neck. Pull the last pass of hair into a loop so the ends are directly under the loop. Tuck the ends halfway into the loop from the side, carefully separate the loop of hair into two halves and pull the ends through the space you’ve created in the middle of the loop. Gently pull the ends and secure. The ends should imitate the way the ends of a ribbon would flow down your back.

Shorter styles can use the free-flow knot approach around the crown of your head or along the sides. Secure with bobby pins or decorative clips that don’t need to be hidden. Use hairspray to style the ends so they are stiff.

Whatever style you choose to begin with, you can make it funky for a night out with the girls by texturizing the ends of your knot and creating a fan-like effect. To get your ends back under control, begin with a gel that can be removed with a little water and smoothed with your fingers. For sprayed ends, brush out and smooth a dab of shine enhancer or leave-in condition through them to even out the texture.

Lasers Aim To Uncover Those Pre-Baby Abs

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An April 2007 survey by KRC Research showed that 67 percent of new mothers would rather regain their pre-baby body than their pre-baby sex life. To the men out there, we’re sorry, but it’s true. Whether it’s the stretch marks that just won’t fade into oblivion or those last few pounds that just won’t melt away, more and more young mothers are chasing the “yummy mummy” Holy Grail right into the plastic surgeon’s waiting room. And the procedures are getting better and better at correcting the problems these women have developed during pregnancy from loose belly skin to varicose veins. In addition to breast lifts and tummy tucks, today’s moms are trying something new – the latest laser treatments.

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So maybe you’re not ready to look like your mother just yet (Yes, we know she’s a beautiful woman and a beautiful person, but really, you’re just too young to look like that.) And it’s not just vanity or celebrity envy driving this trend. Pregnancy wreaks havoc on your body with all sorts of physical and hormonal complications. And if you’ve had your baby in your 30s it can be even more traumatic. It’s not about changing who you are – it’s about reclaiming who you are. You’re a mother now and you work hard for your family, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up the body and the skin you worked so hard for before and even during your pregnancy.

Let’s take a closer look at a few of the more popular laser treatments:

Skin-Tightening

If the issue you are facing is excess skin from your pregnancy that just won’t snap back into shape no matter what you do, then perhaps a laser skin-tightening procedure is for you. There are several different brand name treatments with varying costs between $1500 and $5000. Although the technologies are different, the basic principle is that the laser penetrates deep into the skin and heats the collagen causing the skin to contract and regain its shape. Multiple treatments may be needed for some areas. This treatment is virtually pain-free and non-invasive – especially when compared to the rigors of liposuction or a traditional tummy tuck. Laser skin-tightening sessions are out-patient procedures where you can return to work almost immediately. An added bonus is that these types of lasers also work well to lighten and even remove stretch marks.

Laser Liposuction

The other major type of body-defining laser therapy is laser liposuction. Instead of the invasive probing and bruising associated with traditional liposuction, laser lipo uses (you guessed it) a laser to heat and dissolve the fat cells inside your body. A small laser fiber roughly 1mm in diameter is inserted into the body through a small flexible tube called a cannula. The liquefied fat is then drained through the various insertion points. Recovery from laser lipo is less than a third the time needed to recover from a traditional lipo procedure. In addition, the use of the laser also firms and tightens the skin in the same way as the surface laser treatments, giving you not only less fat deposits but also no loose skin to worry about after the fact.

Whether your pregnancy put you through the wringer or you just need a little help firming up the skin on your belly if you’ve got the cash, one of these procedures could be right for you.

Learn Secrets To Sexy Hair

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Who says you have to covet the latest hairstyles being worn by your favorite celebrities? When you want a style that’s all your own it helps to know helpful hair tips and tricks that you can easily do at home. Whether it’s a simple ‘do for school or if you’ve got a big night planned, there are a couple of things you can add to your hair to make all heads turn.

Are you tired of your long and boring locks but don’t want a new haircut? Do something different by using traditional hairstyles – but add a twist. For example, a ponytail by itself can be pretty plain and even make you look like a kid. But with the right accessories and styling, you can sport a sexy ponytail that your friends will want to copy. To get a classy, sophisticated look, take a dab of pomade or hair wax and slick your hair back and away from your face.

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Depending on what look you’re going for, you can secure your ponytail high on your head for a sassy style or right at the nape of your neck for a more conservative, traditional look. Use a band that matches your hair color so it blends in. For a touch of style to your ponytail, try adding a large hair clip or rhinestone covered barrette.

Another great hairstyle for long hair is the dependable French Twist. This tried and true hairstyle can easily be done at home and spiced up with your own personal touch.

The best way to do your own French Twist involves the following:

  • Brush or comb your hair until it is completely smooth and free of flyaways. Create a loose ponytail and pull down a few strands to frame your face.
  • While holding your ponytail with both hands, start twisting. It doesn’t matter if it’s clockwise or counter-clockwise, whatever works for you. Twist your hair in two full rotations.
  • Hold your ponytail upright pointing up to the sky and fold the end of your ponytail down by tucking the end into space between your head and the beginning part of your ponytail.
  • As you tuck the end of your ponytail in, slowly roll your wadded-up ponytail to the left by gripping the seam between your ponytail and your head between your thumb and other fingers. Use your thumb to push the hair beneath while rolling the hair on top inside. Keep rolling and pushing until your hair feels secure and add bobby pins to keep your French Twist in place.

For gals with short to medium length hair, make the most of hair accessories. Crystals, hair ornaments, and clips can add just the right touch of glamour or funky style to your short ‘do. Crystal hair snaps give short hair a sleek and refined appearance. Don’t underestimate the use of a good headband either. All hair lengths can complete their look with the right headband—wide, skinny, plain, beaded, patterned – you can find the right kind for your needs. By using the right hair accessories and styles, your hair will be far from boring!